Pope Francis: All are redeemed

Allegory of Salvation (Heusler, ca. 1555)

Don't bother trying to theologically outguess Pope Francis' stand on redemption.  He made it exceptionally clear within a recent homily

that when it comes to redemption, everybody means everybody.

But what about the guy who drinks a six-pack before breakfast?  Everybody.

The gal who engages in the world's oldest profession?  Everybody.

Aha!  How about the atheist?  The pope's answer remains steadfast:  Everybody…

According to David Gibson of Religion News Service (RNS), Francis' exact words on the matter included these:  [God] has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics.  Everyone!

Francis also specifically warned that "building walls against non-Catholics leads to 'killing in the name of God'" (i.e. "blasphemy").

So if centuries of theological constraints are now being lifted, where then is the incentive to do good?  If everyone is being redeemed anyway, why even bother being righteous?

Francis has an answer for that too.  He stated:  It [doing good] is a duty, it is an identity card that our Father has given to all of us, because he has made us in his image and likeness.

Resources

http://www.religionnews.com/2013/05/22/pope-francis-god-redeemed-everyone-not-just-catholics/?ref=leaderboard

Copyright May 24, 2013 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved